The COVID-19 pandemic may have put a damper on our beach and travel plans, but it hasn’t stopped families from making the most out of summer. While most moms and dads brought out their palanggana, timba, drum, and inflatable pools so kids can beat the heat by swimming inside their bakuran, one lolo from Pampanga stepped up his game and put our quarantine projects to shame: he converted their pigpen into a swimming pool for his apos!
Blessie Mangubat, 24, shares that his father, Wilfredo Mangubat, 57, was inspired to build the swimming pool after his apos saw that all their neighbors in Pampanga had inflatable pools in their homes. “Gusto din po makiswimming [nung dalawang bata] kaso po malilikot, baka daw po makabutas at magpapalit pa kami [ng pool],” Blessie tells SmartParenting.com.ph in an interview on Faceboook Messenger.
Wilfredo wanted to make his grandchildren happy, since their father (Blessie’s older brother) was stuck in his workplace in Laguna because of the enhanced community quarantine. So he decided to build a swimming pool that would last longer than an inflatable one. Luckily, their former pigpen in the backyard was the perfect size for a pool.
What other parents are reading
Blessie shares that his father started working on the pool on May 3, 2020. It took him six days to finish the project (wow!). Because Wilfredo is a tricycle driver and construction worker, it was easy for him to plan the whole thing out.
The cost? Php4,000. For comparison, inflatable pools of that size can cost anywhere between Php5,000 to Php11,000, according to moms in our parenting community, Smart Parenting Village.
“Nakagaan na lang po sa gastos naming na may kulungan na po kami ng baboy kaya medyo buo na po siya. Dinagdagan na lang po at ‘yung ibang materyales po na ginamit hindi na rin po naming binili, gaya ng buhangin at bakal po,” Blessie explains, adding that bulk of the cost went to the cement and paint.
What other parents are reading
Lolo's low-budget swimming pool
Blessie shares that her nieces, Rica Mae, 9 and Ricailla Maine, 4, and nephew Rick Alfred, 2 were all so excited while their lolo was building the pool. “Lalo na po nung natapos na, nag-swimming na po sila agad,” she shares.
Just in time for Mother’s Day, Blessie shares that the whole family was able to enjoy the pool. Take a look!
What other parents are reading
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod